Team stability and performance: evidence from private equity
Subject
Finance
Publishing details
Social Sciences Research Network
Publication Year
2016
Abstract
We examine the effect of team turnover on performance studying the private equity industry. Using a unique data set that tracks over time teams in 138 PE managers and their performance, we uncover a positive relation between turnover and fund performance. We propose and confirm in the data two channels that explain our findings: i) in the short-run, performance improves when bad performers are fired, ii) in the long-run, turnover helps teams to adapt and replenish their skills in response to shifting external demand. We complement these findings showing that better PE firms fire a larger fraction of bad performing individuals, but also respond to recessions, when investment opportunities change, by updating their teams towards more operational skills. Our findings suggest that frictions coming from informational asymmetries may deter optimal turnover. These findings are surprising given the common belief among PE investors that team stability is key to long-term success.
Keywords
Human capital; Turnover; Firm performance
Series
Social Sciences Research Network
Available on ECCH
No
